Here is a recent find of mine that I thought I would share. Toy collectors out there and fans of tin litho items should enjoy this one. : )

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The following is taken from a DFW Elite Toy Museum Press Release which highlights the significance of this item:

/24-7PressRelease/ - DALLAS, TX, August 16, 2007 - The DFW Elite Toy Museum is known for its rare cars, but the Atom Jet Racer just might be the most hard-to-find piece in the entire collection. In fact, with a scarcity rating of 10 on a 10 point scale, the jet racer is next to impossible to find anywhere except on display at Fort Worth's premier toy museum. At more than two feet long, the collectible toy is a favorite with visitors because of its unusual size and exquisite workmanship.

"It was made in Japan in the 1950s and was one of the last large tin friction toys ever made," said Rodney Ross, museum curator. "Back when Atom Jet Racers were being made, they were pretty inexpensive tin toys - just a cheap toy that kids would play with and destroy. Because of that, very few survived."

The scarcity of the Atom Jet Racer has made it even more sought after by collectors of large tin toys. Made by the famous Japanese toy maker Yonezawa, this beautifully lithographed tin racer is 27 inches long with a friction motor and a tiny, goggle-wearing driver in an enclosed cockpit. Part racer and part jet, this hybrid toy must have been captivating to young imaginations.

"If I had to choose a favorite out of all the toys at the DFW Elite Toy Museum, I would choose this one," Ross said. "The museum has some of the finest antique toys in the world, but the Atom Jet Racer is exceptional. "

In its heyday, the Atom Jet Racer was equipped with sparklers inside the body that would shoot sparks out the rear of the jet as it was rolled across the floor. Although the sparklers have since burned out, the rest of the vehicle remains in tip-top condition, right down to its rubber tires and chrome hubcaps.

"Back when Yonezawa was making these, kids had no idea of how special a toy they were playing with," Ross said. "To them, it was just another toy to destroy. To us, as collectors, the Atom Jet Racer is amazing because of the exceptional workmanship it required to create a toy of its caliber."

"It is easy to see why it has become one of the most sought-after toys for collectors today."

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It is about 27 inches across and in awesome shape for its age which is huge! Everything works on it as it should with it also being complete with all the original items. The colors are still bright and vibrant. The details of the driver and his controls are impressive in the cockpit.

It was made by Yonezawa in Japan!! A really cool piece. Thanks for looking my friends and we will meet again! Happy 4th of July to all of you as well.... : )

electobacco, 3 years agoMan the response is amazing on this one my friends. Thank you so much mikie, trunkman, chevy59, miKKo, fourpeepsake, and PhilDavid. All of you are awesome for taking the time to post the comments that you did. It is very nice of each and everyone of you..... : )

electobacco, 3 years agoThank you for the abundant love being expressed for the Atom Jet mr.majestic, officialfuel, mikie, trunk, scott, aycock, ivethx, chevy, AR8, Mikko, mtg, fourpeep, Manikin, Antiguetoys, PhilDavidAlexander, and toolate2. Have a great day everyone and I guess I can welcome all of you to the Atom Jet party that we have going on here!! ; ) Talk to all of you later....

electobacco, 3 years agoThanks for passing by again BELLIN68 and showing some love my friend! Have an awesome remainder of the week....

electobacco, 3 years agoGreat to see you in my neck of the woods pickrknows and hedge! I appreciate both of you showing some love for this item. Have an awesome evening my friends....

electobacco, 3 years agoWelcome to the site purpledog and I appreciate you taking a look at this item. Thank you so much also for showing some love! : ) Take care and have an awesome remainder of the weekend....

electobacco, 3 years agoHey kerry, MMM, walksoftly, and scandinavian. Glad to see all of you in my neck of the woods. Thank you all for the abundant love and sunshine! : ) Take care my friends....

electobacco, 3 years agoThis seems to be a favorite of many. Thank you PostRetro, ignatz, and petey for showing some love and really enjoying the Atom Jet. Great to see all of you in my neck of the woods. Take care my friends.... : )

aircooled, 2 years agoGreat model. It looks a bit like an experimental Pontiac Firebird of the fifties.

electobacco, 2 years agoThank you for the comment aircooled. It is a funky looking design that is for sure. Have an awesome day and take care my friend.... : )

electobacco, 2 years agoThanks ttom. Great to see you around and I appreciate you showing some love for this item! Have a great day my friend! : )

electobacco, 2 years agozguy I appreciate the comment and post. You, vontrike, AR8, and poop are fantastic! Thanks for loving this item my friends. : )

electobacco, 2 years agoThank you so much for the comment Weirdpuckett! It is you that is awesome!! I also appreciate all the new found loves for this bad boy!! : )

electobacco, 2 years agoThanks for showing the Atom Racer some love pickr! Have an awesome day and upcoming weekend my friend..... : )

Zowie, 2 years agoI remember these from when I was younger & my mum still had some when she died I think they were sent to the tip not happy but I didn't sort here things out. I also beleive sometimes if the box is in good condition it can be worth more than the car. Many years of fun

electobacco, 1 year agoho2, Zowie, and tom thank you so much for stopping by and showing some love for the Atom Jet Racer! : )

electobacco, 1 year agoZowie thank you so much for the post as well. Yeah it would be great to find a box for this. Still looking.... : )

electobacco, 1 year agoThank you Sean. Have a wonderful upcoming Christmas, Holiday Season, and New Year my friend! ;)

SEAN68, 1 year agoHello electobacco :) your very welcome and you have a great holiday as well :)

Zowie, 1 year agoI hope you got all you wanted under the tree. These toys my mum had a heap she kept from when we were growing up for the grandkids to play with after she died I don't know what happened to all of these items. Be safe to you & yours again Sean be good if not be careful.

electobacco, 10 months agoThank you so much for the awesome message Zowie. I apologize it took me so long to respond. Wishing you nothing but the best! :)

Zowie, 10 months agoNo problem I take forever myself keep well & happy hunting if you haven't found it yet

Vintagetin, 4 months agoHey there guys!
I recently stumbled upon this site looking up the Atom Jet #58..
It so happens i have one in about 8.5/10 condition for sale. How do i go about selling it?

AzTom, 4 months agoVintagetin, We're not permitted to sell or offer to buy items posted here. Some of us do have our emails in our profile as contact info.

electobacco, 3 months agoHello Vintagetin. AzTom is correct. Thank you for responding during my time away my friend. Happy New Year to all. May it be your best year yet. Also wishing all of you and your respective family, as well as those most important to you, nothing but the best and the ultimate in success in 2015!!! :)

electobacco, 3 months agoThank you as well bigs, fort, apache, oz, art, fox, fifties, weird, and Virginia. I really appreciate all of you for passing by and showing some love. I apologize if I overlooked any of you. No harm intended. Take care my friends and always wishing all of you nothing but the best! :)

electobacco, 3 months agoThanks for the love and passing by Bigssarge! :)